Stella Gilberg

Mrs. Stella Gilberg passed away peacefully on March 20, 2021 with family by her side. Stella was incredibly loved as a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. Stella lived independently for her entire 97 years of life and she remained beautiful, kind, sharp as a tack and lighthearted through all the curveballs life threw her way.

Stella was born in Hornepayne, Ontario in 1924 and worked as riveter during WWII. She later worked as a waitress which is how she met the love of her life, Henry Gilberg. Henry was a constant patron of hers and they finally married and created a beautiful son. Larry Gilberg was born in 1942 and he was the joy of her life. Soon after becoming a mother, Stella went back to school and studied to become a hairstylist, a job she remained in for the rest of her career. She loved her job and cherished the lifelong friends she made throughout her career. She retired at 70 and later reflected that she retired too darn early!

Stella lived on Gordon Avenue for most of her adult life. She loved that home and her neighbours. Summers were filled with weekends at their camp on Lake Superior. Stella was the matriarch of her extended family and she hosted many Sunday family dinners at home and weekend sleepovers at the Lake. Crib games, horseshoes, badminton tournaments, volleyball matches and swims filled the days at Camp.

She was a gentle soul with a big laugh who worried and cared for everyone. She was always there to help or feed everyone whether you were happy or sad, sick or healthy, she was there for you. She was always the strength of the family and spread her generosity to all. She was a constant support for her nieces and nephews and her granddaughters. If she could help, she would, but of course in her quiet, gentle and modest way.

Stella was predeceased by her husband, Henry (1969) and her son, Larry (2010) and her sisters and brothers John, Mike, Victoria, Helen and Joe. As well she was predeceased by her parents Philip and Mary Serbin and her lifelong friend Dot Kushner. She will be dearly missed by her immediate family; sister Jennie Viitala (Kauko), brother-in-law Jaromir Nemec, her nieces and nephews: Jackie Nemec (Larry Bakk), Stanley Nemec, Susan Nemec (Brad Lutz) Angela Ruppert, David Viitala, Peter Viitala, and by her granddaughters: Shannon MacDonald (Darren) and Shelley Gilberg (David Miller). She will also be lovingly remembered by great grandchildren Sebastian and Danielle, Cora Bakk (honorary niece) and other nieces/nephews and grandnieces/nephews in Ontario and Manitoba.

Stella’s family will be holding a service in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre (including virtual access) to celebrate her life on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. presided by Pastor Matthew Diegel. This will be followed by her interment at Riverside Cemetery.

Special thanks to the Staff of 2B (especially Sam and Sara) at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre who were patient, gentle and caring making Stella’s time at TBRHSC more bearable during the challenges caused by Covid19 restrictions.

Should friends desire, donations in lieu of flowers to the Salvation Army, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Red Cross or Diabetes Canada are welcome.